Meet Olivia the Band

Compiled by Belinda Elliott
CBN.com Producer

CBN.com – Four childhood friends from Hawaii hope to turn heads with the release of their self-titled debut album Olivia the Band. Band members Reed Cromwell, Gabe Watts, Justin Abilla, and Christian Perreira grew up on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, where they enjoyed a mutual hobby – surfing.

The four guys quickly found they shared another passion – music. After attending concerts of rock bands like Pennywise, Sprung Monkey, and Blink 182, they decided to start their own band. With that as their goal, the band members purchased the best instruments they could afford and began to learn how to play them.

“Christian had the most money, so he became the drummer,” said Abilla, the band’s lead guitarist.

The other members found their niche as well with Watts playing guitar and Cromwell as lead vocalist and bass. Cromwell also penned the lyrics of all 12 songs on their debut album.

The group chose their name in memory of Abilla’s baby sister. The name serves as a reminder of the home in Heaven that awaits all believers.

The band’s high-energy, punk sound targets youth and has been compared to the likes of Reliant K, Blink 182, and Hawk Nelson. But Olivia’s new album provides more than just passionate rock songs. Underneath the explosive music are reflective lyrics full of emotion and significance.

Songs like “Heaven,” and “Saturday” resonate with praise for God’s creation and His promise to believers of eternity with Him. “Stars & Stripes” reminds listeners that God walks with them through any troubles they face.

Through their upbeat melodies and encouraging lyrics, the band strives to offer hope to their audience. “I try to say something of worth, and my hope is that if some kid is super bummed out, he’ll listen to us and it will help bring him through,” Cromwell said.

Their songs also reflect the realities of living out a Christian faith in a secular world. The raw energy in harder-hitting “Kill the Grey” captures the familiar struggle between holiness and man’s sinful desires. The lyrics echo the sentiments of the apostle Paul:
What I am doing … I do not understand
For what I will to do… that I don’t practice
But what I hate that I do.

The softer ballad “Missing,” written from God’s point of view, speaks to unbelievers about how the world around them points to a Creator who has a great plan for them.

Olivia the band has been playing shows together for more than three years and recently toured with Tait, ZOEgirl, Jump5, KJ-52, and other artists as a part of SHOUTfest 2004.

The band said live performances are what they enjoy the most because of the opportunity they have to interact with fans. Unlike many bands that leave the venue immediately following a show, the members of Olivia enjoy hanging out after concerts and interacting with their fans.

“The real fruit happens, for us, off-stage,” Abilla said. “It happens through conversations with people after our shows. The music plants the seeds, but the true ministry occurs as we share in relationship with this community of people – these new friends.”

Their debut album releases Jan. 18.

Purchase Olivia the Band

Visit www.oliviatheband.com